Denver enters the defensive coordinator derbyPosted by Mike Florio on January 18, 2010 5:59 PM ETIn an offseason that has seen plenty of defensive coordinator jobs open up, another one has become available, in an unexpected location.

The move comes after a season in which Nolan's presence increased the team's performance from No. 29 to No. 7 in total defense.

The reason for the separation isn't known (yet), but the development puts Nolan in play for vacancies in Miami, Buffalo, and Chicago.

Nolan, who uses a base 3-4 scheme, would be a good fit with the Dolphins.

He also could be a fit in Arizona, if coach Ken Whisenhunt decides to dump Bill Davis after the Cardinals surrendered 90 points in two postseason games -- and if Whisenhunt opts to embrace the 3-4 approach used by his former team, the Steelers.

In Arizona, Nolan would be returning the the NFC West, where he served as head coach of the 49ers from 2005 through the first seven games of 2008.

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water. The rest is covered by Vontae Davis.

Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:03 pm

Big Dave

Phinfever Owner/Admin

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:41 amPosts: 9748Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Mike Nolan, DC of the Denver Broncos now available

NFL.com confirms it. I guess he's tops on my list as well.

Quote:

Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and the Broncos have agreed to part ways after only one season together, NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi confirmed through a league source.

Nolan’s Denver defense ranked seventh overall in the NFL, allowing just 315 yards per game, but it was 26th against the run (128.7 ypg). It ranked third against the pass (186.3 ypg).

The Broncos (8-8) lost eight of their last 10 games to miss the playoffs this season.

Nolan joined Josh McDaniels‘ first Broncos staff last January, just months after he was fired as the 49ers’ coach halfway through the 2008 season. Nolan previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, Jets, Redskins and Giants.

How long was he the DC in Baltimore? They were a very aggressive and an attacking D under him. Does he have any ties to Parcells or Sparano?

Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:09 pm

Bondesque

Phinfever Newbie

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:06 pmPosts: 7

Re: Mike Nolan, DC of the Denver Broncos now available

I would go after Nolan hard core! He is a very good DC and the only knock on him is that he is sometimes too much a discaplinarian. Tony and the Tuna can keep him in line and bring our defence to a very agressive level. Get it done ASAP!

Mike Nolan has been linked to more than one coaching tree. He was a defensive coordinator for Brian Billick (who is part of the Sid Gillman/Bill Walsh coaching tree), Al Groh (who is part of the Bill Parcells coaching tree), and Norv Turner (part of the Jimmy Johnson tree). However, Nolan is most directly related to Dan Reeves. Reeves brought Nolan with him from Denver (where he was linebackers coach) to be the New York Giants defensive coordinator in 1993. Nolan excelled at the position and his success served as a springboard for later success with other teams.

DENVER -- The Denver Broncos and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan have agreed to part ways.

Nolan becomes the third member of coach Josh McDaniels' inaugural staff to depart following a disappointing 8-8 finish. Offensive line coach Rick Dennison left for Houston's staff and longtime running backs coach Bobby Turner was reunited with Mike Shanahan in Washington. Both Dennison and Turner were holdovers from the Shanahan era.

"I can't say anything other than Josh and I mutually agreed to part ways," Nolan said on Monday, according to The Denver Post.

Miami already has requested an interview with Nolan, sources close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Nolan, who engineered the Broncos' switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment, was McDaniels' first hire. McDaniels lined up Nolan to help revamp what had been a deplorable defense.

McDaniels said in a statement released Monday by the team: "I have great respect for Mike and wish him success in the future."

Bag him and tag him! It seems we will be the first to interview him and since NE, AZ and GB are interested let's not let him leave town. PLEASE!!!

UPDATE: There’s a very good chance that Nolan will become the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, a league source told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora. The Dolphins were one of the teams interested in Nolan while he was with Denver, according to the source. Also, Dolphins executive Bill Parcells is a 3-4 defense guy, and Nolan is scheduled to quickly interview with the team.

DENVER -- The Denver Broncos and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan have agreed to part ways.

Nolan becomes the third member of coach Josh McDaniels' inaugural staff to depart following a disappointing 8-8 finish. Offensive line coach Rick Dennison left for Houston's staff and longtime running backs coach Bobby Turner was reunited with Mike Shanahan in Washington. Both Dennison and Turner were holdovers from the Shanahan era.

"I can't say anything other than Josh and I mutually agreed to part ways," Nolan said on Monday, according to The Denver Post.

Miami already has requested an interview with Nolan, sources close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Nolan, who engineered the Broncos' switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment, was McDaniels' first hire. McDaniels lined up Nolan to help revamp what had been a deplorable defense.

McDaniels said in a statement released Monday by the team: "I have great respect for Mike and wish him success in the future."

Bag him and tag him! It seems we will be the first to interview him and since NE, AZ and GB are interested let's not let him leave town. PLEASE!!!

Oh! I can't forget about LET'S GO COLTS!!!!

Since when was Green Bay in the running for a D coordinator?

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Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:06 pm

phinsfansc

Phinfever Draft Insider

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:14 pmPosts: 3981Location: Columbia, SC

Re: Mike Nolan, DC of the Denver Broncos now available

Green Bay is not looking for a DC as they have Dom Capers in place already. Green Bay was ranked 2nd in the league in defense.